Leapers Tactical Scenario Vest - light material... I got one

[glock_this]

So, I got one of these a while back. Have not really been able to use it as I only plan to use it outdoors, not at the local indoor gun range thank you. Like when I shoot up in the mountains in CO. Will make it nice to hold mags and a pistol and a few misc items in an outdoor setting where there is no table and such and I want to move around to different areas and different target types.

I got it at Optics Planet for like $40 delivered - saved even more by using a coupon. Not pimping for them, but they had the best price at the time.

Anyway, I figured I would write up - since I saw no other posts on this vest - and say, once I got it, I wondered what the heck everyone was paying 2-3 times the price for a vest for when this thing has it all! comes with removable attachments, fully adjustable for sizes, carries everyone thing from a pistol and pistol mags to AR mags to cell phone, knife, shotgun shells, etc. Comes with an integrated and removable belt. Frankly, the quality it pretty damn high. Point is, I am very impressed. I never wanted to spend $100+ on a vest and never would, so this was a good price point and honestly, I am way impressed with what I got. The only issue I have had is the vest material is kind of smelly. some sort of plastic smell. And, it is a bit stiff, but it is new. But for the price, fit, quality, modular nature, and accessories - I just had to say, for anyone thinking about it and comparing, I am very impressed and for a not cop, not SWAT, not military guy who will get minimal use of it, it is so worth the coin. So worth it and I would recommend it for the average general not profesional user.

Fit is adjustable and I am 5' 10" and 150 and I was able to make it fit. All settings are on smallest setting practically, but it fits surprisingly.

BTW, this is their "light" model with the aerated material.

Hope it helps.

[The Director]

I picked up a similar one at a gun show a few years back for like 60. It works okay.

[Turbinator]

Just curious, do you think a vest like this would stand up to duty use?

Turby

[gn3hz3ku1*]

depends on what kind of duty.. for the majority yes seeing how it is just range duty. for the zombie crew if it came down to shtf i wouldn't worry about going against random zombies in it.

[technique]

Just curious, do you think a vest like this would stand up to duty use?

Turby

Not really practical.

The primary to pistol transition would be a fumble **** set up like that. Unless you're a lefty your M4 pouches are in a pretty crappy spot also. Pistol mags are up pretty high...

It's probly not meant for much hard use either.

[gn3hz3ku1*]

Not really practical.

The primary to pistol transition would be a fumble **** set up like that. Unless you're a lefty your M4 pouches are in a pretty crappy spot also. Pistol mags are up pretty high...

It's probly not meant for much hard use either.

technique is def correct about tactical duty... range duty it will be fine.

[The Director]

Just curious, do you think a vest like this would stand up to duty use?

Turby

I've used mine alot - it's not the fact that it won't stand up to duty use that I don't like about it. Mine isn't all ventilated. It's built super, super tough, I don't see how you could destroy it.

The problem is that it really has impaired functionality inherent in it's design. I use mine for Desert BLM shooting. It keeps everything right where I want it so I don't have to put anything on the ground, and it looks kinda tacticool, so it makes the other thugs out there think twice (I hope). What absolutely sucks about the vest are two main things:

-Mag pouches oriented too awkwardly and flaps too big for rapid reload
- Pistol takes two hands to draw - one to unclasp - other to draw

If you were in some sort of combat situation, you'd want a proper chest rig designed for rapid mag reloads - this vest isn't it. It carries your stuff around with you, but doesn't allow you to access it real quick.

Don't know why they call them tactical vests either since no one in their right mind should use them as such. Unless you like fighting with velcro to get mags and undoing clasps to draw pistols.

Like I said - good for the desert but no good if people are shooting back. I also have no police or military training whatsoever - just my own observations.

[glock_this]

Just curious, do you think a vest like this would stand up to duty use?

Turby

"stand up"

heck yes. It IS well built. no doubt in my mind. if you see one, I think, much like I did, you will wonder what more you get out of a vest that is $150. zippers, seams, stitching, materials all seem solid. "could" they be higher end, sure, I suppose. Will that matter? not likely there is a ceiling effect to the quality that once you get to a certain point, it mattes little above that point. I've worked a lot with nylons, fastex clasps, velcro, it seems very solid... enough so that I posted up about it. It is not some cheap eBay rip off.

Does it have the config you want, I think that is the only real question. stuff where you want it, right sized pouches, etc. that is all preference to a degree. As for the guys commenting about the pistol setup, change out the pistol holster. done. damn, the vest is only $50 for all you get it is pretty surprising.

also, on the pouch placement issue.. how many ways and places can you places them? They all look pretty similar to me. start and waste and move up, many have similar placement - where else can you place them?? flaps? uh, preference. I like the velcro flaps - as fastex releases are slow and overkill.

I think, if you want, you can nitpick stuff to death, or you can look at the fact it is solid, has it all, some items move around, comes with belt, modular, light weight.... hard to beat that for the price. and it is clearly not a cheezy paintball model for $20 from eBay.

[Turbinator]

So here's why I ask. I have a Blackhawk vest in a very similar configuration as yours. People are suggesting that these setups are not conducive to actual tactical work - well, I guess someone forgot to tell Blackhawk

Yeah, my vest is the $150 model you've compared to. Just curious how well the lower cost vests might compare to a Blackhawk.

Turby

[Army]

Leapers...pure, unadulterated, Communist Chinese junk.

It smells funny, because it's made with materials and methods that USA consumer safety regulations do not allow.

If you think this vest is well built...I've got a bridge to sell you.

[stan]

So here's why I ask. I have a Blackhawk vest in a very similar configuration as yours. People are suggesting that these setups are not conducive to actual tactical work - well, I guess someone forgot to tell Blackhawk

Yeah, my vest is the $150 model you've compared to. Just curious how well the lower cost vests might compare to a Blackhawk.

Turby

how do you like your blackhawk? i was checking them out earlier

[supertrooper]

Not really practical.

The primary to pistol transition would be a fumble **** set up like that. Unless you're a lefty your M4 pouches are in a pretty crappy spot also. Pistol mags are up pretty high...

It's probly not meant for much hard use either.

im glad that im not the only one that thinks the those crossdraw vests are a cluster F. those are for airsoft at best.

[The Director]

So here's why I ask. I have a Blackhawk vest in a very similar configuration as yours. People are suggesting that these setups are not conducive to actual tactical work - well, I guess someone forgot to tell Blackhawk

Yeah, my vest is the $150 model you've compared to. Just curious how well the lower cost vests might compare to a Blackhawk.

Turby

How often have you used and worn your vest? Just try it out. Do a fast reload from the mag pouch. Draw the pistol quick. Try it.

Blackhawk makes products that people keep buying. The fact that people keep buying them doesn't make them suitable for a particular job.

[Turbinator]

How often have you used and worn your vest? Just try it out. Do a fast reload from the mag pouch. Draw the pistol quick. Try it.

Blackhawk makes products that people keep buying. The fact that people keep buying them doesn't make them suitable for a particular job.

Well, if you really must know.. I use my vest for browsing Calguns, Facebook, and tactical TV watching. Guess what, it holds up great!!

Allright, so maybe I'm not a super commando like most of the others on here, but it's not my intent to create a Leapers vs Blackhawk vs Any Highly Priced Nylon Item. You could say that I'm wondering if for my vest's specific usage - non-duty use - would a lower cost vest have sufficed? I think it's safe to say, probably so. Lower cost doesn't necessarily mean lower quality, either, but since I don't have a Leapers, nor have I looked at one up close, I was curious what the OP though of his vest.

By the way, we are now blending together two issues - quality (Leapers vs Blackhawk) and configuration suitability (front mounted crossdraw pistol holster vs non). I don't dispute that the crossdraw mounted holster may not be the best tactical solution out there, but what I do like is the ability to carry a backup handgun in an easy to reach location should you need it. I've never heard anyone complain about having two guns, either.

For the mag pouches, you can remove the velcro flap on each of the mag pouches on the Blackhawk, making them regular open mag carriers. In this case, other than the location being somewhere on your front, I don't see how this makes the vest any less suitable vs having belt mounted mag pouches, although you do have to practice drawing the mags from a different location. However, I figure this is something training should be able to address.

how do you like your blackhawk? i was checking them out earlier

You know, I got it as a gift from a very good friend before Leapers vests were made available. At the time, I was going through my idolization of tacticool accessories, and so I must say that I like the vest a lot. The stitching and the quality overall is great. However, when I actually go out to the range, simplicity is better for me - so I rely on a belt holster and two mag pouches instead of wearing the vest out to the range. If you wanted to use the vest at a range or outdoors, I have no doubt that it would perform well.

Turby

[Omega13device]

also, on the pouch placement issue.. how many ways and places can you places them?

LOL...I've only been to a few carbine classes but I've already rearranged my chest rig countless times. That's pretty typical.

I think, if you want, you can nitpick stuff to death, or you can look at the fact it is solid, has it all, some items move around, comes with belt, modular, light weight.... hard to beat that for the price. and it is clearly not a cheezy paintball model for $20 from eBay.

If you are going to write a review you can expect some people to disagree with your conclusions. If you don't like that, then don't write reviews.

If it works for YOU, don't be offended by someone saying it wouldn't work for them. There's nothing wrong with pointing out the shortcomings for the benefit of those who have different needs. Personally I wouldn't buy one because I don't need something like that for the range and it wouldn't work in a carbine class. But if it meets your needs, have at it.